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Fisheries and Food as guaranteeing that the meat or meat product has been prepared in accordance
with satisfactory standards of hygiene. Meat products which do not satisfy these requirements can
be re-exported but, if this is not done, destruction of the food may be required in such a manner
that it will not be used for human consumption. Provision is made for a right of appeal by the
importer.
Nearly all imported food coming into Westminster is examined at the port of entry. However, there
is a wharf in the City where large stocks, mostly of canned goods, arrive which have not been
previously examined. On notification of such consignments being received from the port of entry,
immediate inspection is made to ascertain suitability for human consumption.
Export Certificates
Applications for Certificates of Export received in the Health Department during the year in
respect of foodstuffs to be despatched abroad numbered 22 (52).
A food inspector inspects the consignment intended for export and where necessary submits a
representative sample to the Public Analyst or Public Health Laboratory to ascertain the fitness of
the product concerned before issuing the certificate.
Trade Descriptions Act, 1968
This new Act to protect the consumer came into operation on 30th November 1968. It replaces
and expands the former Merchandise Marks legislation dealing with misdescription of goods in
general. Its purpose is to ensure, as far as possible, that people tell the truth about goods, prices and
services, and it is important that the public should know what it does to help the individual—and
where it leaves the individual to help himself.
The Act inter alia does the following three things:—
1. Certain kinds of untrue statements about goods, prices and services become offences
punishable by fines and imprisonment.
2. It makes local weights and measures authorities responsible for seeing that the law is observed.
3. It gives the Board of Trade power to define the meaning of words traders use to describe their
goods and services.
Enforcement of the Act is a mandatory duty of the City Council as a weights and measures
authority and it has been decided that the weights and measures inspectors shall undertake the
necessary work, with the exception of its application to foodstuffs. This will fall to the public
health inspectors of the Food Control Group, since the Act has much in common with existing
powers and duties under food labelling legislation.
Some of the new provisions in the Act will be a useful extension to the powers already available
under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, particularly the power to seize and detain goods (including
food) suspected of contravening the Act pending an investigation, and the maximum penalty of
£400 on conviction for an offence under the Act.
It is as yet too early to say just how much additional work will be involved but at the close of
the year enquiries directly arising from the Act were already being received.
Although the Trade Descriptions Act replaces the former Merchandise Marks Acts, the Section
relating to Orders in Council contained in the 1926 Act concerning the marking of certain foodstuffs
(e.g. apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.) with the country of origin will remain in force until 30th
November, 1971.
Consumer Protection
It may be of interest to note the principal legislation at present available for the protection of
consumers in relation to foodstuffs, and also the officers of the City Council who have a responsibility
for ensuring compliance with its requirements, viz:—